HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



to have been the loundation stone for this breed of ponv. From 

 time to time the Connemara ponies have been bought to train 

 for polo work and witli \-cry satisfactory results. The withers 

 are of medium height ; the body long, and the limbs short and 

 strong, the length of the cannons being about 6| or 7 inches. 



A strong neck, of medium length, withers of medium height, 

 with powerful back and loins^ and well sloped quarters are 

 marked characteristics of the breed. 



The length of leg — measured from point of elbow to ground 

 — is from 31 to 33 inches. 



SHETLAND PONIES. 



The Shetland pony is unquestionably of very ancient origin, 

 the breed having existed in the Shetland Isle at an early period, 

 but there is not sufficient reliable data to enable one to fix the 

 period. Brand visited the Shetland Islands in 1700, and this 

 appears to be the first account given of them. Buchanan, in 

 his " History of Scotland," refers to the Orkney and Shetland 

 horses. Shetland ponies are remarkably hardy, and when 

 properly broken make ideal children's ponies. 



The long flowing mane, tail, and forelock, together with 

 the diminutive size of these creatures, are unmistakable char- 

 acteristics of the breed. Those who do not know the Sheltic 

 have indeed a very rudimentary knowledge of the equine race. 

 Inherent qualities of the Shetland are its remarkable powders of 

 endurance upon the scantiest of fare, without apparently suffer- 

 ing much loss of condition. 



The smaller a Shetland pony is — other qualities being good — 

 the more valuable it becomes ; in fact, decrease in height is the 

 desideratum of the' Shetland pony breeder. 



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